HRCSD cancels school following strong winds, campus hazards, other districts delayed or unaffected

The decision to close was based on the following:

1. Strong overnight winds toppled trees on several school campuses, including Westside Elementary School. Such hazards obstructed HRCSD’s ability to operate buildings safely and maintain clear walking paths for students and staff.

2. Several district facilities were left without power overnight. At the time of the decision, critical systems at multiple sites remained without power, including one school. 

3. Downed trees and power lines obstructed numerous roads throughout the district, creating challenging, unsafe conditions for students and drivers navigating bus routes.

“While schools are closed today, work continues,” HRCSD wrote on Facebook at 11:20 a.m. “Our teams are currently on-site across the school district, clearing downed trees and assessing campus safety.”

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience these schedule changes may cause,” HRCSD Superintendent Bill Newton said in a community email. “Our primary commitment is always the safety of our students. Thank you for your patience and support.”

Decisions regarding weather closures are made in close coordination with city and county agencies. To learn more about the protocols HRCSD uses to evaluate road conditions and how it communicates updates to the community, visit its Inclement Weather Procedures page.

The White Salmon Valley School District, due to the power outages and downed trees, delayed the start for its students by two hours, per the district's Facebook page. 

Both Carson Elementary and Stevenson High School lost power overnight, but it returned by morning, the district's administrative office confirmed, so operations continued as normal today. Likewise, North Wasco County School District experienced no significant impacts, according to Stephanie Bowen, the district's director of communications and community engagement.